Prep tennis: Barron Collier boys head back to state after sweeping Naples

The reason Barron Collier will compete for its fourth straight state championship beginning Monday is depth.

Take for example the case of Matej Holy. The Cougars sophomore dominated in two regional matches this week, dropping just two games while winning both in straight sets. Yet Holy only made the starting lineup at No. 5 singles because Barron's top player was competing in an international tournament.

When the Cougars play the Class 3A state finals in Altamonte Springs next week, Holy likely will be on the sidelines. Barron Collier travels with just seven players, so the sophomore might not even make the trip.

That's fine with Holy. He's just happy he could help the team make it back to state, which it did with a 5-1 victory Thursday over rival Naples High in the regional championship.

"I just play my hardest no matter what," said Holy, who beat Naples' Nel-Marc Guerrier 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5 singles. "I just want to win."

This season has been exciting and new to the 16-year-old. Not only is it his first year at Barron Collier, but it's Holy's first time in America. His family moved to the United States from Slovakia seven months ago so his parents could open a jewelry store.

The Holys could move their business to Miami next year, so this might be his only season with the Cougars. "Magic," as his teammates call him because of the similarity to his Slovak first name, was excited to get a shot to compete in the playoffs this week.

His enthusiasm has been contagious, Cougars coach Eric Manring said. Holy has helped lighten the mood of an already relaxed group.

"The kid is always smiling," Manring said. "He's a lot of fun to have on the team. He keeps things pretty easy going."

That he might not play at state is not a knock on Holy. It just shows how talented the Cougars are this season.

Holy also has the disadvantage of being one of the few new players at Barron Collier. Seven of the team's top eight players were on the team last year, and several of them have been waiting for three years to crack the starting lineup.

"This year has been unique in that it hasn't just been the top five guys that have done it," Manring said. "It's been the top nine that have gotten us here."

Holy has been playing tennis since he was 7, and his parents moved to Naples in part because the area is a strong training ground for youth players.

"I like it here," said Holy, who plays at the World Tennis Center and Pelican Bay. "It is better tennis (than in Slovakia). The competition, everything is better."

Standing 6-foot with an athletic build, Holy might be the Cougars' fastest player, Manring said. His athleticism isn't a surprise considering his genes.

Holy's parents, Monica and Andrew, both played professional handball in Slovakia. His mother and grandmother played for the country's national handball team. Holy's uncle, Martin Skrtel, plays soccer for Liverpool F.C. in the English Premier League as is the captain of the Slovakia national team.

After trying handball twice, Holy said the sport wasn't for him. He also said he played soccer when he was younger, but he's found his calling with tennis.

"I'm having fun," Holy said of his first varsity season. "It's been a good year."